A Rome university lecturer and TVpundit who hailed a Red Brigades (BR) terrorist who died Monday after taking part in the 1978 kidnapping of Christian Democrat leader Aldo Moro who killed his five escorts may face disciplinary action, La Sapenza said Wednesday.
Political philosopher professor Donatella Di Cesare said on the death at 75 of Barbara Balzerani: "Your revolution was also mine. Different ways do not cancel ideas. With a heavy heart a farewell to Comrade Luna (Moon) #barbarabalzerani".
La Sapienza said Wednesday that proceedings had been started and University Minister Anna Maria Bernini had been informed.
Balzerani, who never reneged on her past of political violence, but said she was sorry for the victims, was involved in several killings, including the 1978 raid in which five members of ex-premier Aldo Moro's security escort were murdered.
Moro was kidnapped in the raid, and killed 54 days later.
Balzerani was also involved in the abduction of United States General James L. Dozier in 1981.
The previous year she was part of the BR hit squad that assassinated magistrate Girolamo Minervini.
She was arrested in 1985.
Due to her ability to dodge arrest she was nicknamed "the scarletpimpernel" by the Italian media.
Di Cesare's praise for Balzerani was condemned by the centreright, with rightwing League leader Matteo Salvini calling it a "disgrace" and added: "In a university xhair at the Sapienzaand very often a guest of the TV salons of (independentbroadcaster) La7. "
An unacceptable insult for the victims of Red terrorism.
"Shameon her.
"Prof Donatella Di Cesare celebrates the dead BR woman BarbaraBalzerani".
The dean of Sapienza University on Tuesday voiced her "dismayand disbelief" at Di Cesare's tribute to Balzerani.
The Sapienza rector, Antonella Polimeni, according to astatement from Italy's biggest uni, "speaking on behalf of the entire academic community, recalls the very high tribute of blood paid by La Sapienza University in the season of terrorism, confirms the firm condemnation of all forms of violence and distances itself from any statement of support or closeness to ideas, facts and people who do not respect or have not respected the laws of the Republic and the democratic principles expressed by the Constitution".
Other rightwing politicians said they were "amazed" at what DeCesare had written about Balzerani, with Brothers of Italy (FdI)House Whip Tommaso Foti saying "we need deep reflection on thedangerousness of giving a sounding board, in the universitiesand on television, to people who are nostalgic for a dark time, in which they affirmed sick and revolutionary ideas with machineguns, bombs and kidnappings that ended in tragedy." Foti called on the "whole world of politics, as well as LaSapienza's heads, to take their due distance from thosenostalgic for hatred and terrorism".
Di Cesare replied by saying: "I'm surprised and disconcerted over the storm that has been raised.
"I have read statements from ministers who have stigmatized me with very heavy words," De Cesare went on. "I have always been against all forms of violence .
"That is attested to by my life, my writings, and my teaching. "I recalled Barbara Balzerani's death, whom I've always been distant from.
In that context I touched on that radical transformation to which my generation aspired.
"Some chose armed struggle; I took the path of feminism. "I experienced the violence of those years firsthand, that of many Fascists". She said she had deleted the post on X "fearing that it might be misunderstood, something which actually happened".
Centre-left and left wing politicians did not join the chorus of criticism for Di Cesare.
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